sierraNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94sierraWed, 21 Sep 2016 03:37:23 +0000sierrahttp://kvpr.org
Kerry KleinIn the Sierra Nevada, it’s estimated that tens of millions of trees have died as a result of drought, many of which succumbed to infestations from bark beetles. As a result, we’ve been told our risk of wildfire is far higher than normal, but FM89’s Kerry Klein says the science doesn’t necessarily agree. Gaze across a hillside at 5,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada, and that landscape, usually a wash of green pines, firs and cedars, is probably smudged with reds and browns. “You're looking at, sometimes in areas, 50 percent or more mortality,” says Al Watson, a ranger with Sequoia National Forest—“where, three years ago, there was only a few sporadic types of dead trees here and there.” The forest service puts the latest death toll at 66 million trees in California alone. And for a state that’s hot, dry, and in its fifth year of drought, Watson says those trees are a danger. “More dead trees in higher concentration mean a lot more fire risk,” he says. It’s easy to draw a straight lineTree Die-Offs Won’t Increase Wildfire Risk, Expert Sayshttp://kvpr.org/post/tree-die-offs-won-t-increase-wildfire-risk-expert-says
66171 as http://kvpr.orgTue, 26 Jul 2016 22:07:44 +0000Tree Die-Offs Won’t Increase Wildfire Risk, Expert SaysJoe MooreLight rain, cooler temperatures and higher humidity in the last 24 hours have helped firefighters in their effort to contain the Rough Fire. The blaze has now consumed 139,000 acres and is 40 percent contained, though officials expect the containment number to rise later today. While the rain has helped the fight, it wasn't been enough to extinguish the fire. It also has forced firefighters to change their tactics, by making it more difficult to intentionally set brush on fire in efforts to contain the main blaze by depriving it of fuel. John Nichols: "Now we can't do that because the fire fuels which would carry that fire are too wet." John Nichols is a spokesperson for the fire management team. He says instead of fighting fire with fire, crews are now taking a different approach. Nichols: "The rain yesterday and today has helped a lot in allowing the firefighters do more direct action. On an active aggressive fire you can't put somebody right on the edge of the that fire, because itWith Rain, Firefighters Change Tactics On Rough Fire, Some Evacuations Liftedhttp://kvpr.org/post/rain-firefighters-change-tactics-rough-fire-some-evacuations-lifted
53654 as http://kvpr.orgTue, 15 Sep 2015 19:18:06 +0000With Rain, Firefighters Change Tactics On Rough Fire, Some Evacuations LiftedAmy Quinton - Capital Public RadioDrought, dead and dying trees, and a lack of snow in California have left national forests in a perfect condition for large and severe wildfires. As Amy Quinton reports from Sacramento, the new mix has the U.S. Forest Service re-examining how it manages fire. The U.S. Forest Service has historically tried to let lightning-caused fires burn in remote areas as a way to reduce forest density. The hope was to keep forests - particularly in northern California - healthy. Chris Schow with the U.S. Forest Service Fire Aviation and Management Division says that way of managing wildfire probably won’t work this year. Schow: “Due to weather conditions well beyond our control, we could see another megafire.” Those are fires that can burn hundreds of thousands of acres severely. He says the forest service is attacking all fires quickly. Schow: “We’re initially attacking all of our fires aggressively trying to keep them small, we’re currently at our 98- percent success rate on initial attack, ourU.S. Forest Service Says Conditions Ideal For Megafires in Californiahttp://kvpr.org/post/us-forest-service-says-conditions-ideal-megafires-california
50770 as http://kvpr.orgMon, 06 Jul 2015 23:52:00 +0000U.S. Forest Service Says Conditions Ideal For Megafires in CaliforniaEzra David RomeroIn the Sierra Nevada, above Fresno, North Fork Mono Indians are working to thin the forest. The group's goal is twofold. Save water and prevent large-scale forest fires. North Fork Mono Indians have been using this approach for centuries, but now California's severe drought means these ancient techniques are being looked at as a possible long-term solution. From Valley Public Radio, Ezra David Romero reports. Ron Goode knows the Sierra Nevada unlike most people. He belongs to the North Fork Mono Indian tribe that calls the Sierras home. He, his crew and I are hiking to a clearing of forest that he calls the unnamed meadow about one hour Southwest of Yosemite. “As we look around out here even though it’s foggy you can see the thickness of the grass and you can see all kinds of flowers coming up,” says Goode. One year ago the meadow on US Forest Service land was overgrown with trees and crowded with dead and drying plants. Because of his efforts today the meadow is green with tall grass,An Ancient Native American Drought Solution For A Parched Californiahttp://kvpr.org/post/ancient-native-american-drought-solution-parched-california
49251 as http://kvpr.orgTue, 02 Jun 2015 18:01:18 +0000An Ancient Native American Drought Solution For A Parched CaliforniaJoe MooreForest managers throughout California say that thinning forests to a more natural state is a good way to reduce the severity of wildfires. Now scientists suggest that it also could offer help in saving water in the drought. Researchers at UC Merced think that thinning overgrown forests throughout the Sierra could result in as much as a million acre feet of extra water each year for the state. That’s enough water to fill Pine Flat Lake on the Kings River east of Fresno. Roger Bales is the director of the Sierra Nevada Research Institute at UC Merced. He says years of fire suppression have left much of the Sierra overgrown with small trees that consume a lot of water. Bales says a team of UC researchers are currently studying the issue with the US Forest Service in the American River Basin and in the Sierra National Forest near Yosemite. UC Merced Expert: Forest Thinning Could Free Up Water, Reduce Fire Riskhttp://kvpr.org/post/uc-merced-expert-forest-thinning-could-free-water-reduce-fire-risk
48416 as http://kvpr.orgTue, 12 May 2015 21:31:18 +0000UC Merced Expert: Forest Thinning Could Free Up Water, Reduce Fire RiskJoe MooreCalifornia’s isn’t just home to internationally renowned gems like Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks – it’s also a place that’s rich in its own human history. And while many stories, like the Gold Rush and Hetch Hetchy are well known, a new book seeks to document the “hidden history” of the Sierra. It’s called “Sierra Stories: Tales of Dreamers, Schemers, Bigots and Rogues” by author Gary Noy, a history professor at Rocklin College. Noy joined us on Valley Edition to talk about the numerous short stories contained in his new book, from the famed Gold Rush-era dancer Eliza Gilbert to the fearless rock climbers of the present day. New Book Chronicles 'Hidden History' Of The Sierra Nevadahttp://kvpr.org/post/new-book-chronicles-hidden-history-sierra-nevada
32905 as http://kvpr.orgTue, 20 May 2014 16:07:00 +0000New Book Chronicles 'Hidden History' Of The Sierra NevadaJoe MooreThe Fish Fire, which was sparked by lightning in the remote Golden Trout Wilderness has now grown to over 1,450 acres. Officials report that the fire is just 7 percent contained. It is burning in a remote area within the Sequoia National Forest about 25 miles northeast of Springville, near the Kern River. The fire has grown by 450 acres since Sunday. Fire officials from Arizona are managing the blaze. Approximately 213 personnel are battling the fire. Due to the remote nature of the site, supplies must be delivered by helicopter or by pack animals. Officials have also closed a number of trails and areas in the Golden Trout Wilderness due to the fire. Fish Fire - updated information Fish Fire Grows In Southern Sierra Near Springvillehttp://kvpr.org/post/fish-fire-grows-southern-sierra-near-springville
20608 as http://kvpr.orgMon, 26 Aug 2013 20:27:56 +0000Fish Fire Grows In Southern Sierra Near SpringvilleBen AdlerMore wildfires. Warmer lakes. And higher temperatures. A new study from the California Environmental Protection Agency cites those and other signs that climate change is having a growing impact across the state. Ben Adler has more from Sacramento. CalEPA has been tracking environmental indicators since the year 2000 in hopes of measuring the effects of climate change. Here are some of the findings in the new study, based on 36 different indicators: - California’s high, low and average temperatures are going up – especially at night. - Wildfires have burned nearly twice as many acres since 2000 as the previous 50 years combined. - There’s less snow melting in the spring, meaning winter temperatures are warmer and storms that might previously have brought snow are bringing rain. - And some animals and plants are migrating to higher elevations in search of cooler weather. The study does offer one piece of good news: California industries are increasing their energy efficiency – andStudy Finds New Evidence of Climate Change in Californiahttp://kvpr.org/post/study-finds-new-evidence-climate-change-california
19738 as http://kvpr.orgThu, 08 Aug 2013 23:42:59 +0000Study Finds New Evidence of Climate Change in CaliforniaAmy QuintonThe season’s final snow survey in California found what most expected – dry conditions. Snow surveyors found absolutely no snow on the ground at Phillips Station, nearly 7,000 feet up Echo Summit in the Sierras. Water content in California’s snowpack is only 17 percent of normal, meaning a below average water supply this summer. Frank Gehrke with the Department of Water Resources says despite that, most reservoirs are near normal levels for the date thanks to early winter storms. “Our reservoir storage is what’s going to get us through right now this year. But the big concern is that we will not be replenishing the storage as we should in a normal year,” says Gehrke. Judging California’s water supply will soon be much more precise. The Department of Water Resources has teamed up with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to conduct aerial snow surveys. Their technology will be able to gauge the snowpack’s depth and reflectivity to better estimate water supply. What Snow? Final Snow Survey Yields Dry Resultshttp://kvpr.org/post/what-snow-final-snow-survey-yields-dry-results
14548 as http://kvpr.orgFri, 03 May 2013 00:12:18 +0000What Snow? Final Snow Survey Yields Dry ResultsAmy Quinton The next to the last snow survey of the season shows extremely dry conditions for California. As Amy Quinton reports from Sacramento, it has prompted the Department of Natural Resources to call the security of the state’s water supply “threatened.” The bad news: the water content in California’s snowpack is only 52 percent of normal. What’s worse, the spring melt is underway. While the season started with water content above 130 percent of normal in January, it’s been unusually dry ever since. The Department of Water Resources last week decreased its water delivery estimate from 40 percent to 35 percent of requested amounts from the State Water Project. Natural Resources Secretary John Laird says the snow survey points to the urgent need to continue work on the Bay Delta Conservation Plan. Snow normally provides about a third of the water for California’s homes and farms as it melts into streams, reservoirs and aquifers. Snow Survey Shows Dramatically Dry Conditions for Californiahttp://kvpr.org/post/snow-survey-shows-dramatically-dry-conditions-california
12841 as http://kvpr.orgFri, 29 Mar 2013 01:09:06 +0000Snow Survey Shows Dramatically Dry Conditions for CaliforniaJuanita Stevenson This week on Valley Edition we take a hike into the foothills of Fresno County. Valley Public Radio’s Ezra Romero takes the listener on a journey through the McKenzie Table Mountain Preserve run by the Sierra Foothill Conservancy. Jeannette Tuitele – Lewis, executive director of the Sierra Foothill Conservancy, joins host Juanita Stevenson in a discussion surrounding the Valley locale, its ties to the community and future dates for preserve exploration. On Valley Edition: The Sierra Foothill Conservancy; Talk With A Supreme Court Justice; End Of Life http://kvpr.org/post/valley-edition-sierra-foothill-conservancy-talk-supreme-court-justice-end-life
12047 as http://kvpr.orgTue, 12 Mar 2013 20:40:58 +0000On Valley Edition: The Sierra Foothill Conservancy; Talk With A Supreme Court Justice; End Of Life Ezra David Romero On the edge of a region in California known for agriculture and dairy, lays a hidden gem. A wildlife preserve with Table top foothills, that in spring are awash in color from budding wild flowers. On Saturday, the Sierra Foothill Conservancy, a local group that manages a number of foothill preserves in the region held a special open house at the group’s largest operation. The McKenzie Preserve – in-between Friant and Prather – was open to the public for exploring and a hike up a flat top lava formed table in the region. “Good Morning. Hi, wanna please sign in before you start up the hill. ” That was Bea Olsen, the board president for the Sierra Foothill Conservancy. A couple hundred people followed a well-worn three and a half mile path to the base of a table top and then hiked up the steep face of the hill, before they reached the top of the plateau. “We’re out here to open up the property to get people connected to foothill woodlands and these beautiful lands here in the SierraNature Preserve Near Fresno Delights Foothill Visitorshttp://kvpr.org/post/nature-preserve-near-fresno-delights-foothill-visitors
12009 as http://kvpr.orgTue, 12 Mar 2013 18:13:32 +0000Nature Preserve Near Fresno Delights Foothill VisitorsAmy Quinton January and February are the driest on record for the northern Sierra Nevada. As Amy Quinton reports, snowpack is well-below normal for this time of year. Sierra Snowpack Below Normal; Driest Year on Recordhttp://kvpr.org/post/sierra-snowpack-below-normal-driest-year-record
11490 as http://kvpr.orgThu, 28 Feb 2013 23:16:57 +0000Sierra Snowpack Below Normal; Driest Year on RecordAmy Quinton California snow surveyors reported Tuesday that water content in the state’s mountain snowpack is below average for the date. The manual readings this month confirmed what many water managers expected after a relatively dry January. The water content in the Sierra snow is 93 percent of average for this time of year. Early storms in November and December dumped snow ranging from 32 ½ to 44 inches around Echo Summit. That erased the deficit in reservoir storage. But very little snow has fallen since. A third of the water for California’s homes, industries and farms comes from the Sierra snowpack. The Department of Water Resources currently estimates it will be able to deliver 40 percent of the water requested for the State Water Project this year. The delivery estimate may increase if more winter storms develop. Last year, the final allocation of water was 65 percent of what was requested. Second Snow Survey Shows Below Normal Conditionshttp://kvpr.org/post/second-snow-survey-shows-below-normal-conditions
10136 as http://kvpr.orgThu, 31 Jan 2013 18:37:41 +0000Second Snow Survey Shows Below Normal ConditionsAmy Quinton California’s water managers say the state has a good supply of water so far thanks to a snowy December. The first official measurement of the Sierra Nevada snowpack showed four-feet of accumulation. Manual and electronic readings showed the water content of the snow at 134 percent of average for this time of year. Frank Gehrke is with the Department of Water Resources. He says last year the snowpack in the area was just over one-tenth of an inch. "It’s obviously a good start to the season, the real key is going to be how long the nice weather we’re currently experiencing is going to last," says Gehrke. This year's early snow is the result of a series of tropical storms that flowed over the region last month. But weather forecasters are warning that we may have a dry January. The snowpack provides about a third of the water for California homes, farms and industries. Sierra Snowpack Has Water Managers Happy, So Farhttp://kvpr.org/post/sierra-snowpack-has-water-managers-happy-so-far
8904 as http://kvpr.orgThu, 03 Jan 2013 00:00:07 +0000Sierra Snowpack Has Water Managers Happy, So FarJoe MooreFires sparked by lightning on Saturday continue to burn today in rugged terrain in the Sierra Nevada mountains, nearly a week after they began. In the Sierra National Forest east of Fresno the Bear Fire has consumed over 700 acres of timber between Edison and Florence Lake. Ten smoke jumpers, four helicopters and four fixed wing aircraft are battling the blaze, which is in terrain ranging from 7,500 to 9,000 feet in elevation. The fire is currently 50 percent contained. No structures are threatened. In Kern County, near Lake Isabella two fires, the Clear Fire and the Heald Fire, together known as the Piute Complex fires are now largely contained. They were also sparked by lighting over the weekend. Over 1,000 firefighters were deployed at one point earlier this week, as crews attempted to save the community of Valley View, where 20 structures were threatened. Firefighters there assembled a temporary helicopter base complete with a portable mixing plant at Havilah to mix fire retardantLightning Caused Fires Continue to Burn in Mountainshttp://kvpr.org/post/lightning-caused-fires-continue-burn-mountains
1963 as http://kvpr.orgFri, 10 Aug 2012 03:01:44 +0000Lightning Caused Fires Continue to Burn in Mountains